Hermetically sealable container

Abstract

A container for hermetically sealing certified reference materials includes a top, a bottom, and a sidewall spanning between the top and the bottom to define an interior. The container further includes an opening disposed in an upper surface of the top that provides access to the interior. The container also includes a depressed ring formed in the upper surface of the top, the depressed ring may be concentric with the opening. The container includes an induction seal bonded to the upper surface of the top of the container, wherein the induction seal is at least partially disposed in the al least one depressed ring. An intermediate portion of the container disposed between the top and the bottom may have a generally truncated bicone shape. The container may also include a set of threads proximate to the top to enable a screw cap to be attached to the container.

Description

HERMETICALLY SEALABLE CONTAINERCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63 / 604,358, entitled ‘HERMETICALLY SEALABLE CONTAINER;’ and filed on November 30, 2023, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes.TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure is directed generally toward a container for certified reference materials, and, in particular, a container that is hermetically sealed via induction cap sealing.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] A certified reference material (hereinafter “CRM”) may be a metrologically traceable material commonly used as a control in analytical chemistry, forensic science, pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, environmental, and clinical diagnostic fields. Large pharmaceutical companies may use CRM’s to test the quality of their products, as well as to calibrate the equipment used in the manufacturing of their products. Most CRM’s that exist in a solid powder form require inert packaging and hermetic seals to protect the contents from oxygen, moisture, or other forms of contamination. In other words, the inert packaging and hermetic seals enable the housed CRM’s to maintain their integrity and serve to provide a shelf life that is economically viable. Current technologies used to achieve this desired level of sealing integrity include crimp caps with rubber septa (i.e., elastomer stopper) and, in some cases, a flame sealed glass ampoule.

[0004] Crimp cap sealed products may typically be stored below ambient temperatures, and crimp cap sealings suffer from thermal and physical expansion of the metal crimp ring, which may result in a loss of seal integrity. Storing crimp cap sealed products below ambient temperatures may be done to reduce the gas transmission through the elastomer stopper and / or for potential chemical stability of the reagent of the powder material. This storage condition ultimately creates a vacuum inside the container. The colder the storage temperature the greater the pressure differential, which increases thepressure on the elastomer stopper and its elastomeric abilities to maintain the seal. The elastomeric mechanical properties that enable the elastomer stopper to create a seal are negatively affected by decreasing temperatures. Thus, storing crimp cap sealed products at below ambient temperatures may least to unpredictable seal failures due to thermal cycling of the elastomer stopper. Moreover, due to their nature, crimp cap sealed products, especially in the pharmaceutical industry are typically inspected for head space after crimping. That is, even with a proper setup, design, and process controls, there exists a need to verify seal integrity.

[0005] Glass ampoule sealing of powdered materials suffer from extensive amounts of labor required to remove residual materials on the neck of the glass ampoule before exposing to a flame in order to melt the glass and seal it. Moreover, the high temperature from the flame required to melt and seal the glass can degrade the CRM. In addition, any pow der remaining in the neck of the ampoule after filling may leave a char mark on the top of the ampoule after flame sealing the ampoule. The materials needed for CRM’s are incredibly precious and expensive. Thus, any waste of the materials should be minimized to achieve an acceptable level of cost control and economic viability.

[0006] Therefore, what is needed is a new7container configured to house CRM's and that is inert and hermetically sealable without damaging the contents of the container. Furthermore, what is needed is a container that is inert and hermetically sealable, where the seal is resistant to thermal and physical expansions when exposed to normal transportation and handling condi tions / temperatures. What is also needed is a container that facilitates easy removal of the CRM’s disposed in the interior of the container.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The present disclosure is directed to a container for housing CRM’s having a top end, a bottom end, and a sidewall spanning between the top and bottom ends that collectively define an interior cavity. The top end of the container may further include an opening that provides access to the interior cavity of the container. The top end of the container may further be configured to receive an induction seal. In other words, the top end of the container may be configured for an induction seal to be coupled to the top end in order to hermetically seal the interior cavity of the container. Induction sealing the container allows for the container to be a wide neck container, where theneck of the container is wider than that of a glass ampoule. Moreover, while induction sealing requires heat in order to bond the induction seal to the container, the temperature produced from induction sealing is not only much lower than the temperature required to flame seal ampoules but is also very localized to the small area where the seal contacts the container lip (i.e., the top end). Induction seals are much less susceptible to be negatively affected by thermal cycling like that of crimp caps and are much easier to inspect for seal integrity.

[0008] The benefit of induction sealing solves the main limitations of both crimp cap and ampoule sealing of powered materials. In addition, with the container being configured for induction sealing, the container and associated seals are amenable to further process automation and control such as, but not limited to, sealing with an inert gas atmosphere for highly sensitive powder materials.

[0009] The present disclosure is directed toward container for hermetically sealing certified reference materials includes a top, a bottom, and a sidewall spanning between the top and the bottom to define an interior. The container further includes an opening disposed in an upper surface of the top that provides access to the interior. The container also includes a depressed ring formed in the upper surface of the top, the depressed ring may be concentric with the opening. The container includes an induction seal bonded to the upper surface of the top of the container, wherein the induction seal is at least partially disposed in the at least one depressed ring. An intermediate portion of the container disposed between the top and the bottom may have a generally truncated bicone shape. The container may also include a set of threads proximate to the top to enable a screw cap to be attached to the container.

[0010] In one embodiment, a container may have a top, a bottom, and at least one sidewall spanning between the top and the bottom. The top, the bottom, and the at least one sidewall may collectively define an interior of the container. The container may further include an opening and at least one depressed ring disposed on an upper surface of the top. The opening may provide access to the interior of the container. The at least one depressed ring may be formed in the upper surface of the top and may be concentric with the opening. The container may also include an induction seal bonded to the upper surface of the top of the container. The induction seal, when bonded, may be at least partially disposed in the at least one depressed ring.

[0011] In some instances, the container is configured to house a certified reference material within the interior. In some further instances, the certified reference material may be a powdered material.

[0012] In some addition instances, the at least one depressed ring may include an outer depressed ring and an inner depressed ring. The outer depressed ring and the inner depressed ring may be concentric with one another and with the opening. In some further instances, the induction seal may be at least partially disposed in the outer depressed ring and the inner depressed ring when bonded to the upper surface of the container. In some even further instances, the at least one depressed ring may have a semicircular cross-sectional shape. In even some further instances, when the induction seal is bonded to the upper surface of the top of the container, the induction seal hermetically seals the interior of the container.

[0013] In another embodiment, a container may have a top, a bottom, and at least one sidewall spanning between the top and the bottom. The top, the bottom, and the at least one sidewall may collectively define an interior of the container. The at least one sidewall may include a lower portion, an upper portion, and an intermediate portion. The lower portion may be disposed proximate to the bottom and may have a first outer diameter. The upper portion may be disposed proximate to the top and may have a second outer diameter. The intermediate portion may be disposed between the lower portion and the upper portion. Furthermore, the intermediate portion may flare outwardly from lower portion and the upper portion such that the intermediate portion has a third outer diameter that is greater than the first outer diameter and the second outer diameter. The container may further include an opening disposed on an upper surface of the top that may provide access to the interior of the container. The container may also include an induction seal bonded to the upper surface of the top of the container.

[0014] In some instances, the container is configured to house a certified reference material within the interior. In some further instances, the certified reference material may be a powdered material.

[0015] In some additional instances, the intermediate portion may be in the shape of a tubular truncated bicone. In some further instances, the intermediate portion may comprise a central segment, an upper sloped segment and a lower sloped segment. The upper sloped segment may extend upwardly from the central segment at a first angleoffset from vertical. The lower sloped segment may extend downwardly from the central segment at a second angle offset from vertical. In some even further instances, the third outer diameter of the intermediate portion occurs at the central segment.

[0016] In yet another embodiment, a container includes an upper portion, an intermediate portion, and a lower portion. The upper portion may have a first outer diameter, a first inner diameter, an upper surface, and an exterior sidewall. The intermediate portion may be coupled to a bottom of the upper portion and may have a second outer diameter and a second inner diameter. The lower portion may be disposed below the intermediate portion, but not necessarily directly coupled to the bottom of the intermediate portion. The lower portion may have a third outer diameter and a third inner diameter. The upper portion, intermediate portion, and the lower portion may collectively define an interior of the container. The container may also include an opening disposed in the upper surface of the upper portion such that the opening provides access to the interior of the container. The container may also include at least one depressed ring formed in the upper surface of the upper portion. The at least one depressed ring may be concentric with the opening. The container may further include a set of threads disposed on the exterior sidewall surface of the upper portion. In addition, the container may include an induction seal bonded to the upper surface of the upper portion of the container, wherein the induction seal is at least partially disposed in the at least one depressed ring.

[0017] In some instances, the container may further include a screw cap coupled to the upper portion of the container via the threads. In some even further instances, the screw cap may be configured to press the induction seal into the upper surface of the upper portion of the container.

[0018] In still some further instances, the first inner diameter may be equal to the second inner diameter, and the first outer diameter may be greater than the second outer diameter such that a lip is formed at the coupling of the upper portion to the intermediate portion. In even some further instances, the container may include a crimp cap coupled to the upper portion of the container via the lip. In some additional instances, when the induction seal is bonded to the upper surface of the top of the container, the induction seal hermetically seals the interior of the container.

[0019] Other systems, devices, apparatuses, methods, features, and advantages will be, or will become, apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the followingfigures and detailed description. All such additional systems, devices, arrangements, mechanisms, assemblies, apparatuses, methods, features, and advantages are included within this description, are within the scope of the claimed subject matter.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] The apparatuses, assemblies, and components presented herein may be better understood with reference to the following drawings and description. It should be understood that some elements in the figures may not necessarily be to scale and that emphasis has been placed upon illustrating the principles disclosed herein. In the figures, like-referenced numerals designate corresponding parts / steps throughout the different views.

[0021] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a container configured to receive an induction seal, according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0022] FIG. 2 illustrates a side elevational view of the container illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0023] FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the container illustrated in FIG. 2, where the cross-section is taken along the dashed line of FIG. 2.

[0024] FIG. 4 illustrates a side elevational view of a upper flanged portion of a container according to a second example embodiment of the present disclosure, where the exterior sidewall of the upper flanged portion contains threads.

[0025] FIG. 5 is a close-up perspective view of the top end of the container illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0026] FIG. 6 illustrates a close-up sectional view of the cross-sectional view of the upper flanged portion of the container illustrated in FIG. 3, where the sectional view is taken from the dashed box in FIG. 3.

[0027] FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate an induction seal disposed on and hermetically sealing the container illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0028] FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate a screw cap and associated seal disposed on and sealing the container illustrated in FIG. 1.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0029] In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying figures which form a part hereof wherein like numerals designate like parts throughout,and in which is shown, by way of illustration, embodiments that may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized, and structural or logical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, the following detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of embodiments is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0030] Aspects of the disclosure are disclosed in the description herein. Alternate embodiments of the present disclosure and their equivalents may be devised without parting from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure. It should be noted that any discussion herein regarding "one embodiment,’' "an embodiment,'’ “an exemplary embodiment,” and the like indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, and that such particular feature, structure, or characteristic may not necessarily be included in every embodiment. In addition, references to the foregoing do not necessarily comprise a reference to the same embodiment. Finally, irrespective of whether it is explicitly described, one of ordinary skill in the art would readily appreciate that each of the particular features, structures, or characteristics of the given embodiments may be utilized in connection or combination with those of any other embodiment discussed herein.

[0031] Various operations may be described as multiple discrete actions or operations in turn, in a manner that is most helpful in understanding the claimed subject matter. However, the order of description should not be construed as to imply that these operations are necessarily order dependent. In particular, these operations may not be performed in the order of presentation. Operations described may be performed in a different order than the described embodiment. Various additional operations may be performed and / or described operations may be omitted in additional embodiments.

[0032] For the purposes of the present disclosure, the phrase “A and / or B” means (A), (B), or (A and B). For the purposes of the present disclosure, the phrase “A, B, and / or C” means (A), (B), (C), (A and B), (A and C), (B and C), or (A. B and C).

[0033] The terms “comprising.” “including,” “having,” and the like, as used with respect to embodiments of the present disclosure, are synonymous.

[0034] Turning to FIGS. 1 and 2, illustrated is container 100 configured to house and store CRM’s, and be sealed with an induction seal / induction sealing process. The container 100 may be formed from any material suitable for housing CRM’s including, but not limited to, glass, plastics (e.g., polyethylene terephthalate (PET), high densitypolyethylene (HDPE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), low density polyethylene (LDPE), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), polycarbonate (PC), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polyamide (PA), etc.), and metals (e.g., aluminum, steel, stainless steel, tin, etc.). In some embodiments, the CRM may be a powder material. The container 100 may include a top 102, an opposite bottom 104, and a sidewall 106 spanning between the top 102 and the bottom 104 of the container 100. The top 102. the bottom 104, and the sidewall 106 may collectively define an interior cavity, interior volume, or simply interior 108. The sidewall 106 of the container 100 may include a series of portions having various diameters, lengths, and shapes.

[0035] As best illustrated in FIG. 2, the container 100 may include a lower portion 110, a first or lower intermediate portion 120, a second or upper intermediate portion 140, and an upper flanged portion 150. The first intermediate portion 120 and the second intermediate portion 140 may be disposed or oriented between the lower portion 110 and the upper flanged portion 150 such that the first intermediate portion 120 is disposed closer in proximity to the lower portion 110 than the second intermediate portion 140, and such that the second intermediate portion 140 is disposed closer in proximity to the upper flanged portion 150 than the first intermediate portion 120. As illustrated, the lower portion 110 may be substantially cylindrical having a bottom end 112 and an opposite upper end 114. The bottom end 112 of the lower portion 110 may serve as the bottom 104 of the container 100 and may be sealed from the interior 108 of the container 100. The lower portion 110 may further include an exterior surface 116 spanning between the bottom end 112 and the upper end 114, where the exterior surface 116 serves as the portion of the sidewall 106 of the container 100 in the region of the lower portion 110. As best illustrated in FIG. 3, which is a cross-sectional view of the container 100 taken along line A-A in FIG. 2, the interior 108 of the container 100 extends into the region of the lower portion 110 of the container 100 such that the lower portion 110 may be tubular having an interior surface 118. The lower portion 110 may further contain a substantially consistent outer diameter GDI (as shown in FIG. 3 spanning across the lower portion 110 between exterior surfaces 1 16) and inner diameter ID1 (as shown in FIG. 3 spanning across the lower portion 110 between interior surfaces 118). With the outer diameter OD1 and the inner diameter ID1 remaining consistent in the lower portion 110, the sidewall 106 in the region of thelower portion 110 has a substantially uniform thickness (i.e. , the distance between the exterior surface 1 16 and the interior surface 118).

[0036] Continuing with FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, as illustrated, the first intermediate portion 120 may be shaped substantially like that of a truncated tubular bicone having a lower end 122 and an opposite upper end 124. The first intermediate portion 120 may be disposed atop or coupled to the lower portion 110 such that the lower end 122 of the first intermediate portion is fixedly attached to the upper end 114 of the lower portion 110. The first intermediate portion 120 may further include an exterior surface 126 spanning between the lower end 122 and the upper end 124, where the exterior surface 126 serves as the portion of the sidewall 106 of the container 100 in the region of the first intermediate portion 120. As best illustrated in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 3, the interior 108 of the container 100 includes and extends through the region of the first intermediate portion 120 of the container 100 such that the first intermediate portion 120 may be tubular having an interior surface 128. Because the first intermediate portion 120 may be in the form of a truncated bicone, the width or diameters may vary along the length of the first intermediate portion 120. Thus, the first intermediate portion 120 may have a varying outer diameter OD2 (as shown in FIG. 3 spanning across the first intermediate portion 120 between exterior surfaces 126) and a varying inner diameter ID2 (as shown in FIG. 3 spanning across the first intermediate portion 120 between interior surfaces 128).

[0037] The outer diameter OD2 and inner diameter ID2 of the first intermediate portion 120 may be greatest at a central segment 130, which is disposed at an intermediary point of the first intermediate portion 120 between the lower end 122 and the upper end 124. The central segment 130 may bisect an upper sloped segment 132 and a lower sloped segment 134. The upper sloped segment 132 may extend from the central segment 130 to the upper end 124 of the first intermediate portion 120 at an angle offset from the vertical such that the outer diameter OD2 and the inner diameter ID2 decrease from the central segment 130 to the upper end 124. The lower sloped segment 134 may extend from the central segment 130 to the lower end 122 of the first intermediate portion 120 at an angle offset from the vertical such that the outer diameter OD2 and the inner diameter ID2 may decrease from the central segment 130 to the lower end 122. As best illustrated in FIG. 3, the central segment 130 of the first intermediate portion 120 of the container 100 may contain the largest outer diameter OD2 and thelargest inner diameter ID2 of the container 100, which causes the central segment 130 of the first intermediate portion 120 of the container 100 to be the most outwardly flared portion of the container 100. As further illustrated, in some embodiments, the ID2 of the first intermediate portion 120 at the upper end 124 may be smaller than that of the ID2 of the first intermediate portion 120 at the lower end 122 and smaller than that of the ID1 of the lower portion 110. The outer diameter OD2 and the inner diameter ID2 of the first intermediate portion 120 may vary simultaneously with one another and to the same degree such that the sidewall 106 in the region of the first intermediate portion 120 has a substantially uniform thickness (i.e., the distance between the exterior surface 126 and the interior surface 128).

[0038] The truncated bicone shape of the first intermediate portion 120 may facilitate more easy and efficient removal of the CRM from the container 100, especially when the amount of the CRM within he container 100 is below the first intermediate portion 120. More specifically, the truncated bicone shape of the first intermediate portion 120 may enable a user to tilt the container 100 to dispose a portion of the CRM in the first intermediate portion 120. The user may tilt the container 100 such that at least part of the upper sloped segment 132 is oriented substantially vertically and such that at least a part of the lower sloped segment 134 is oriented substantially horizontally. This positioning retains the portion of the CRM in the first intermediate portion 120 and allows a user to obtain (e.g., scoop) the CRM from the first intermediate portion 120 rather than from the bottom of the interior 108 of the container 100.

[0039] With continued reference to FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, the second intermediate portion 140 may be substantially cylindrical having a lower end 142 and an opposite upper end 144. The second intermediate portion 140 may be disposed atop or coupled to the first intermediate portion 120 such that the lower end 142 of the second intermediate portion 140 is fixedly attached to the upper end 124 of the first intermediate portion 120. The second intermediate portion 140 may further include an exterior surface 146 spanning between the lower end 142 and the upper end 144, where the exterior surface 146 serves as the portion of the sidewall 106 of the container 100 in the region of the second intermediate portion 140. As best illustrated in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 3, the interior 108 of the container 100 includes and extends through the region of the first intermediate portion 120 of the container 100 such that the second intermediate portion 140 may be tubular having an interior surface 148. The second intermediate portion140 may further contain a substantially consistent outer diameter OD3 (as shown in FIG. 3 spanning across the second intermediate portion 140 between exterior surfaces 146). The second intermediate portion 140 may also contain an inner diameter ID3 (as shown in FIG. 3 spanning across the second intermediate portion 140 between interior surfaces 148) that, conversely to the outer diameter OD3, varies slightly between the lower end 142 and the upper end 144. More specifically, the inner diameter ID3 may be smaller proximate to the upper end 144 and may flare outwardly proximate to the lower end 142 and the first intermediate portion 120. Because the outer diameter OD3 remains consistent but the inner diameter ID3 varies in size, the sidewall 106 in the region of the second intermediate portion 140 may have a variable thickness (i.e., the distance between the exterior surface 146 and the interior surface 148). As further illustrated in FIG. 3, the outer diameter OD3 may be smaller than the outer diameter OD1 of the low er portion 110. Similarly, the inner diameter ID3 may be smaller than the inner diameter ID1 of the lower portion 110.

[0040] Continuing with FIGS. 1. 2, and 3, the upper flanged portion 150 may be substantially cylindrical having a lower end 152 and an opposite upper end 154. The upper flanged portion 150 may be disposed atop or coupled to the second intermediate portion 140 such that the lower end 152 of the upper flanged portion 150 is fixedly attached to the upper end 144 of the second intermediate portion 140. Moreover, the upper end 154 of the upper flanged portion 150 may serve as the top 102 of the container 100, which is further described below' and depicted in FIGS. 5 and 6. The upper flanged portion 150 may further include an exterior surface 156 spanning between the lower end 152 and the upper end 154, where the exterior surface 156 serves as the portion of the sidew all 106 of the container 100 in the region of the upper flanged portion 150. As best illustrated in the cross-sectional view' of FIG. 3, the interior 108 of the container 100 includes and extends through the region of the upper flanged portion 150 of the container 100 such that the upper flanged portion 150 may be tubular having an interior surface 158. The upper flanged portion 150 may further contain a substantially consistent outer diameter OD4 (as shown in FIG. 3 spanning across the upper flanged portion 150 betw een exterior surfaces 156) and a substantially consistent inner diameter ID4 (as shown in FIG. 3 spanning across the upper flanged portion 150 between interior surfaces 158). Moreover, the outer diameter OD4 of the upper flanged portion 150 may be greater than the outer diameter OD3 of the second intermediate portion 140 and theouter diameter OD1 of the lower portion 110, while the inner diameter ID4 of the upper flanged portion 150 may be approximately equal to the inner diameter ID3 of the second intermediate portion 140 (i.e., the inner diameter ID4 of the upper flanged portion 150 is smaller than the ID2 of the first intermediate portion 120 and the ID1 of the lower portion 110). With the outer diameter OD4 and the inner diameter ID4 remaining consistent in the upper flanged portion 150, the sidewall 106 in the region of the upper flanged portion 150 has a substantially uniform thickness (i.e., the distance between the exterior surface 156 and the interior surface 158). The thickness of the sidewall 106 of the upper flanged portion 150 may be thicker than the sidewall 106 at the other portions 110, 120. and 140, which creates a flange or lip 160 at the lower end 152 of the upper flanged portion 150. More specifically, the lip 160 is created by the difference in the thickness of the sidewall 106 at the upper flanged portion 150 and the thickness of the sidewall 106 at the second intermediate portion 140. The lip 160 may be utilized to create a force or pressure on the top 102 of the container 100 to inductively seal the container 100. For example, the hp 160 may enable a standard stopper (e.g., a septum) and a crimp cap or crimping band to be used to seal the container 100 after the induction seal 200 has been removed post initial opening of the container 100.

[0041] As best illustrated in FIG. 4, the exterior surface 156 of the upper flanged portion 150 may include a series of threads 170 that spiral around the exterior surface 156 of the upper flanged portion 150 and span from the upper end 154 to the lower end 152 of the upper flanged portion 150. As explained further below, the threads 170 on the exterior surface 156 of the upper flanged portion 150 may enable a screw cap 300 to be installed / coupled to the container 100 at the upper flanged portion 150. In some embodiments, a screw cap 300 may be used to create the needed pressure on the top 102 of the container 100 for inductive sealing an induction seal 200 onto the container 100. The threads 170 may also enable a user of the container 100 to utilize a provided or later acquired screw cap in conjunction with a provided or later acquired seal 340. In other words, after a user initially opens the container 100 by removing the induction seal 200, the user may reseal the container 100 with the cap 300 and / or seal 340.

[0042] Turning to FIGS. 5 and 6, illustrated are various view s of the top 102 of the container 100. As previously explained, the top 102 of the container 100 may be at least partially formed by the upper end 154 of the upper flanged portion 150 of the container 100. As illustrated, the top 102 of the container 100 may include an uppersurface 180 upon which an opening 182 is formed. The opening 182 may provide access to the interior 108 of the container 100. The opening 182 may be formed in the upper surface 180 of the top 102 of the container 100 such that the opening 182 is coaxially aligned with the other portions 110, 120, 140, 150 of the container 100. In other words, the opening 182 may be centrally disposed in the upper surface 180 of the top 102 of the container 100 such that the opening 182 is concentric with the portions 110, 120, 140, 150 of the container 100. In some embodiments, the opening 182 may contain a beveled edge 184 leading from the upper surface 180 into the opening 182.

[0043] Continuing with FIGS. 5 and 6, the upper surface 180 of the top 102 of the container 100 may further include an outer ring 186 and an inner ring 188. The outer and inner rings 186, 186 may be concentric with one another and with the opening 182 in the top 102 of the container 100. Moreover, and as best illustrated in FIG. 6, the outer and inner rings 186, 188 may be formed as depressions in the upper surface 180 of the top 102 of the container 100. While the illustrated embodiment depicts two rings 186, 188. the upper surface 180 of the top 102 of the container 100 may contain any number of rings greater than 1. Furthermore, as best illustrated in FIG. 6, the outer and inner rings 186, 188 may each contain a rounded or semicircle cross-sectional shape. However, in other embodiments, the outer and inner rings 186, 188 may contain any cross-sectional shape. As explained in further detail below, the presence of the outer and inner rings 186, 188 may serve to better adhere the induction seal to the upper surface 180 of the top 102 of the container 100.

[0044] Turning to FIGS. 7A and 7B, illustrated are views of the induction seal 200 coupled to the upper surface 180 of the top 102 of the container 100. The induction seal 200 may be any type of induction seal known at the time of filing or later developed. Thus, as best illustrated in FIG. 7B, the induction seal 200 may include an upper foil layer (or other suitable material) 210, and a lower polymer layer 220. When the induction seal 200 is placed on the upper surface 180 of the top 102 of the container, the polymer layer 220 may be disposed against the upper surface 180. When pressure (i.e., from a cap or other pressure inducing structure or device) and heat are simultaneously applied to the induction seal 200, the polymer layer 220 at least partially melts and bonds to the upper surface 180 of the top 102 of the container 100, including to the outer and inner rings 186, 188. In other words, once bonded, at least a portion of the induction seal 200 is disposed within the outer and inner rings 186, 188. Thisbonding of the induction seal 200 hermetically seals the interior 108 of the container 100. The outer and inner rings 186, 188 being formed as depressions and the induction seal 200 being at least partially disposed within the outer and inner rings 186, 188 effectively increases the surface area of the upper surface 180 of the top 102 of the container 100 to which the induction seal 200 may bond. In addition, by forming the outer and inner rings 186, 188 as depressions, the outer and inner rings 186. 188 also increase the shear resistance of the bond of the induction seal 200 to the container 100.

[0045] Turning to FIGS. 8A and 8B, illustrated are views of the screw cap 300 and associated seal 340 being coupled to the container 100. As previously explained, in some embodiments, the exterior surface 156 of the upper flanged portion 150 may include threads 170, which accommodate a screw cap being screwed onto, and coupled to, the upper flanged portion 150 of the container 100. The screw cap 300 may include an upper portion 310 that is substantially circular and planar (i.e., disc shaped) having an exterior or upper surface 312 and an opposite interior or lower surface 314. The upper portion 310 may further define an edge 316. The descending sidewalls 320 may descend from the edges 316 of the upper portion 310. The sidewalls 320 may further include an exterior surface 322 and an opposite interior surface 324. The interior surface 324 of the sidewalls 320 and the interior surface 314 of the upper portion 310 collectively define a cavity 330 configured to receive the top 102 of the container 100. Furthermore, disposed on the interior surface 324 of the sidewalls 320 may be threads 326 that are configured to interact / mesh with the threads 170 of the upper flanged portion 150 of the container 100.

[0046] As best illustrated in FIG. 8B, the seal 340 may be disposed on the top 102 of the container 100 and received within the cavity 330 when the screw cap 300 is screwed onto the container 100. As the screw cap 300 is crewed onto the upper flanged portion 150 of the container, the interior surface 314 of the upper portion 310 of the screw cap 300 may apply a pressure or force onto the seal 340, which, in turn, presses the seal 340 onto the upper surface 180 of the top 102 of the container 100. This pressure enables the seal 340 to seal around the opening 182 of the container 100. In some embodiments, the seal 340 may be an induction seal 200 like that illustrated in FIGS. 7A and 7B, and described above. In the event the seal 340 is like that of the induction seal 200, the screw cap 300, in some embodiments, may be utilized to apply the pressure on the induction seal 200, 340 when simultaneously applying heat to the seal 200, 340 to bondthe seal 200, 340 to the container 100. In other embodiments, the seal 340 may be a septum type of seal, which may be primarily utilized once the induction seal has been removed from the container 100.

[0047] While the apparatuses presented herein have been illustrated and described in detail and with reference to specific embodiments thereof, it is nevertheless not intended to be limited to the details shown, since it will be apparent that various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the scope of the inventions and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims. For example, the container presented herein may be modified to contain any number of shape deviations, portions, cavities, inlets, and outlets, the induction seal presented herein may be of any shape and formed from any suitable materials, and the screw cap presented herein may include any number of features (e.g., threads, crimping portions, etc.).

[0048] In addition, various features from one of the embodiments may be incorporated into another of the embodiments. That is, it is believed that the disclosure set forth above encompasses multiple distinct inventions with independent utility. While each of these inventions has been disclosed in a preferred form, the specific embodiments thereof as disclosed and illustrated herein are not to be considered in a limiting sense as numerous variations are possible. The subject matter of the inventions includes all novel and non-obvious combinations and subcombinations of the various elements, features, functions, and / or properties disclosed herein. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the scope of the disclosure as set forth in the following claims.

[0049] It is also to be understood that terms such as '‘left,” ‘'right,” '‘top,” ‘'bottom,” “front,” “rear,” '‘side,” “height,” “length,” “width,” “upper,” “lower,” “interior,” “exterior,” “inner,” “outer” and the like as may be used herein, merely describe points of reference and do not limit the present invention to any particular orientation or configuration. Further, the term “exemplary” is used herein to describe an example or illustration. Any embodiment described herein as exemplary is not to be construed as a preferred or advantageous embodiment, but rather as one example or illustration of a possible embodiment of the invention. Additionally, it is also to be understood that the components of the container, seal, and cap described herein, or portions thereof may be fabricated from any suitable material or combination of materials, such as, but notlimited to, glass, thermoplastics, plastics, or metals (e.g., copper, bronze, aluminum, steel, tin, etc.), as well as derivatives thereof, and combinations thereof. In addition, it is further to be understood that the steps of the methods described herein may be performed in any order or in any suitable manner.

[0050] Finally, when used herein, the term ‘‘comprises’' and its derivations (such as “comprising,” etc.) should not be understood in an excluding sense, that is, these terms should not be interpreted as excluding the possibility’ that what is described and defined may include further elements, steps, etc. Similarly, where any description recites “a” or “a first” element or the equivalent thereof, such disclosure should be understood to include incorporation of one or more such elements, neither requiring nor excluding two or more such elements. Meanwhile, when used herein, the term “approximately” and terms of its family (such as “approximate,” etc.) should be understood as indicating values very near to those which accompany the aforementioned term. That is to say, a deviation within reasonable limits from an exact value should be accepted, because a skilled person in the art will understand that such a deviation from the values indicated is inevitable due to measurement inaccuracies, etc. The same applies to the terms “about,” “around,” “generally,” and “substantially.”

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A container comprising: a top having an upper surface; a bottom opposite the top; at least one sidewall spanning between the bottom and the top, wherein the top, the bottom, and the at least one sidewall collectively define an interior; an opening disposed in the upper surface of the top and providing access to the interior of the container; at least one depressed ring formed in the upper surface of the top, the at least one depressed ring being concentric with the opening; and an induction seal bonded to the upper surface of the top of the container, wherein the induction seal is at least partially disposed in the at least one depressed ring.

2. The container of claim 1 , wherein the container is configured to house a certified reference material within the interior.

3. The container of claim 2, wherein the certified reference material is a powdered material.

4. The container of claim 1, wherein the at least one depressed ring includes an outer depressed ring and an inner depressed ring, and wherein the outer depressed ring and the inner depressed ring are concentric with one another and with the opening.

5. The container of claim 4, wherein the induction seal is at least partially disposed in the outer depressed ring and the inner depressed ring when bonded to the upper surface of the container.

6. The container of claim 1, wherein the at least one depressed ring has a semicircular cross-sectional shape.

7. The container of claim 1, wherein, when the induction seal is bonded to the upper surface of the top of the container, the induction seal hermetically seals the interior of the container.

8. A container comprising: a top having an upper surface; a bottom opposite the top; at least one sidewall spanning between the bottom and the top, wherein the top, the bottom, and the at least one sidewall collectively define an interior, the at least one sidewall comprising: a lower portion disposed proximate to the bottom and having a first outer diameter, an upper portion disposed proximate to the top and having a second outer diameter, and an intermediate portion disposed between the lower portion and the upper portion, wherein the intermediate portion flares outwardly from lower portion and the upper portion such that the intermediate portion has a third outer diameter that is greater than the first outer diameter and the second outer diameter; and an opening disposed in the upper surface of the top and providing access to the interior of the container; and an induction seal bonded to the upper surface of the top of the container.

9. The container of claim 8, wherein the container is configured to house a certified reference material within the interior.

10. The container of claim 9, wherein the certified reference material is a powdered material.

11. The container of claim 9, wherein the intermediate portion facilitates extraction of the certified reference material from the interior of the container at an intermediate location disposed between the top and the bottom of the container.

12. The container of claim 8, wherein the intermediate portion has a tubular truncated bicone shape.

13. The container of claim 8. wherein the intermediate portion further comprises: a central segment; an upper sloped segment extending upwardly from the central segment at a first angle offset from vertical; and a lower sloped segment extending downwardly from the central segment at a second angle offset from vertical.

14. The container of claim 13, wherein the third outer diameter of the intermediate portion occurs at the central segment.

15. A container comprising: an upper portion having a first outer diameter, a first inner diameter, an upper surface, and an exterior sidewall surface; an intermediate portion coupled to a bottom of the upper portion, the intermediate portion having a second outer diameter and a second inner diameter; a lower portion disposed below the intermediate portion and having a third outer diameter and a third inner diameter, wherein the upper portion, the intermediate portion, and the lower portion collectively define an interior; an opening disposed in the upper surface of the upper portion and providing access to the interior of the container; at least one depressed ring formed in the upper surface of the upper portion, the at least one depressed ring being concentric with the opening; a set of threads disposed on the exterior sidewall surface of the upper portion; and an induction seal bonded to the upper surface of the upper portion of the container, wherein the induction seal is at least partially disposed in the at least one depressed ring.

16. The container of claim 15, further comprising a screw cap coupled to the upper portion of the container via the set of threads.

17. The container of claim 16, wherein the screw cap is configured to press the induction seal into the upper surface of the upper portion of the container.

18. The container of claim 15, wherein the first inner diameter is equal to the second inner diameter, and the first outer diameter is greater than the second outer diameter such that a lip is formed by the bottom of the upper portion being coupled to the intermediate portion.

19. The container of claim 18, further comprising a crimp cap coupled to the upper portion of the container via the lip.

20. The container of claim 15. wherein, when the induction seal is bonded to the upper surface of the upper portion of the container, the induction seal hermetically seals the interior of the container.

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